On Thursday (August 17) at exactly 9:00 a.m., officials and staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, along with various elements of the Indonesian community, attended the Red and White Flag Raising Ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. In addition to more than 150 Indonesian citizens who participated, around 40 representatives from the Cambodian military, consisting of the Prime Minister’s Security Forces and the Cambodian 911 Forces, were also present at the flag ceremony.
Although simple, the ceremony proceeded in an orderly, solemn and modest manner. In his speech, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr. Pitono Purnomo, emphasized that the flag ceremony should not only be interpreted as a mere ceremony, but as a symbol of our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our predecessors, heroes, and national leaders who fought for the independence of this nation; strengthening the spirit of nationalism, love for the homeland, and patriotism, as well as instilling awareness of nationhood, statehood, and society.
Ambassador Pitono also conveyed a message from Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered in his State Address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) on August 16, stating that we want to work together not only in equitable economic distribution, but also in ideological, political, and socio-cultural development. He emphasized that there is no such thing as second-class or third-class citizens. There are only Indonesian citizens. All Indonesian citizens are involved and responsible for working together to build the nation in accordance with the theme of the 72nd anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, namely “Indonesia Works Together”.
Ambassador Pitono also urged Indonesians living in Cambodia to maintain unity and integrity, uphold tolerance, respect each other’s professions, contribute positively according to their respective roles, maintain Indonesia’s positive image, avoid legal problems, comply with local regulations, and foster friendship with the Cambodian people. Furthermore, it was emphasized that the Indonesian Embassy will always strive to the utmost to fight for Indonesia’s national interests; nurture, nurture, serve and protect Indonesian citizens and be ready to mediate if our people are hit by legal problems and become victims of transnational crimes. The Indonesian Embassy will also work optimally to strengthen good and beneficial bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cambodia in various fields.
In this flag ceremony, the ceremony officers consisted of Indonesian Embassy staff and Indonesian citizens, including Indonesian students studying in Phnom Penh as the flag-raising team, one of whom was a student from the Information Technology Study Program at Widyatama University. Wearing traditional clothing from various regions in Indonesia, the Aubade participants, who also consisted of students and Indonesian citizens, sang national songs such as Hari Merdeka (August 17), Bangun Pemudi Pemuda, Halo Halo Bandung, Sorak Sorak Bergembira, and Bagimu Negeri. These national songs were able to evoke a message and spirit of nationalism among the ceremony participants. The Flag Raising Ceremony was covered by local media and concluded with a group photo and a social gathering.
